The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-02-19
The Country Drug Store.

q
toner in the store for more than an
hour. The drug-clerk feels Ion esome.
He gazes nensiyely out at the desert
ed village street, and muses. upon the
vanity of all things here below. An
open book lies upon the counter be-
fore him. 1t Is "Daniel Deronda."
Somebody has advised the drug-clerk
to read it. and he has been trying to
do 80. But he don't like it. He is
disappointed, for he began it under
the impression that it was a detective
story. 1t makes him sleepy.
The drug-clerk is a thing of beauty
and is calculated to be Joy forever.
He wears a check suit, a blue scarf
with large pin representing a NOR
tar and pestle suggestive of his de-
votion to business), and very high
collar. His natural attractions are
further enhanced by a large amethyst
ring upon the little finger of his right
hand, and blonde bang, which long
and cheerful training reduced to a
state of complete subsection.
But see the expression of gloom
upon his features gives place to a
sunny smile. He sees maiden COM
ing up the village street, he knows
that the chances are very large that
she will not be able to get past the
door. He pulls down his cuffs, and
assumes what he believes to be an
attitude of unstudied grace. The door
opens, she enters, and the following
dialogue ensues:
She-AIl alone, Cy?
He-Why good afternoon, Addie.
Yes, things are rather quiet. Hain't
seen you for an age.
She You saw me at church, last
Sunday.
He with killing glance)-Well,
three days away from you seem an
age.
She-Cy Whitaker, you're getting
worse and worse!
Hell know l am. Guess you'll
have to undertake my cure. Hey :?
brief intermission for giggling).
She - What are you reading :?
"Daniel Deronda." Do you like it I?
He (guardedly)-Do you?
Shell think it's perfectly splen.
did. Don't you?
He (Drompt'y)-Perfectly magnifi-
cent! Going to the Methodist tea
party tomorrow night?
She with scornl-Me? No. sir; 1
don't mix with that set.
He-Kinder severe, amt you, Adj
die? Some nice folks down to the
Methodist church.
She-Oh, yes, 1 s'pose there are
the Griswold girls. for instance. 1
heard it said yesterday that the Girls
wolds must be mighty unhealthy
family-judging from the number of
times week those girls visit this
store.
He Slightly hystericaD He! he!
he! Now, that amuses me. Who
said it!
She-I shan't tell you.
He-Yes, do!
She-I WON'T.
He-Well, l know who it was; it
was that Higgins girl.
She-Perhaps it was, and perhaps
it wasn't.
He OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES amt the
first time that that girl has tried to
make trouble between you and me.
But she can't influence me. And as
for the Griswold girls, you can judge
how much / care for them, when
tell you that though they were round
here this morning, urging me to go
to the tea party, what you have said
has decided me not to attend it.
Assumes an expression of tender
ness.)
She-I am sure it is a matter of in
difference to me whether you 60 or
not.
He ignoring the remark IL think
shall take in the concert at the Pres
byterian church-that is, if l can get
anyone to 60 with me.
She (unbending slightly - You
seem in such demand that there
ought not to be any difficulty about
that.
Howell, I'm little particular
about my company. But if you
would accompany me"
She-Oh, Cy! Fanny Berry will
be there and what would she say !?
She'd be just wild!
He with dignity)-Miss Berry's
opinions are a matter of perfect in
difference to me.
She-Well, I'll go, Cy. and I'll
wear my plum-colored silk and you
be sure to call for me very early, and
oh. my goodness
NHhxY D., 4